American Heart (1992)

An ex-convict is tracked down by his estranged teenage son, and the pair try to build a relationship and life together in Seattle.

Director:

Martin Bell

Writers:

Peter Silverman (story), Martin Bell (story)

Stars:

Jeff Bridges, Edward Furlong, John Boylan

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Boylan	...	Janitor
Jeff Bridges	...	Jack Kelson
Edward Furlong	...	Nick Kelson
Greg Sevigny	...	Young Jack
Jayne Entwistle	...	Monique
Willie Williams	...	The Gospel Fireballs
Roosevelt Franklin	...	The Gospel Fireballs
Melvyn Hayward	...	Normandy
Don Harvey	...	Rainey
Kit McDonough	...	Landlady
Wren Walker	...	Lisa
Cristine McMurdo-Wallis	...	School Administrator
Lucinda Jenney	...	Charlotte
Charlotte London	...	Flo
Loyd Catlett	...	Vernon the Bartender

Storyline

After leaving jail, Jack Kelson wants to live a normal life. He rents a small flat, moves in with his son Nick and tries to get a steady job. But then a former friend steps into his life again.

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Plot Keywords:

pot smoking | homeless child | ex convict | middle school | school | 

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Taglines:

Jack's only hope was a dream... Nick's only hope was Jack.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and sexual situations

Did You Know?

Trivia

The apartment building Jack Kelson and his son lived in was presented as Queen Anne Hill in the movie. In actuality, the movie was filmed in an apartment building on Capitol Hill in Seattle, on the 1700 block of Summit Avenue North

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Goofs

Near the end of the movie, the ferry is leaving Seattle (towards Bainbridge Island or Bremerton). However a few seconds later we see the boat wake with the Olympic Mountains in the distance indicating the boat is headed towards Seattle, not away from it.

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Quotes

Jack Kelson: [Jack is coughing because of the smoke from the hot dogs on the grill] Oh!
Charlotte: Am I the only one in here who can't breathe?
Jack Kelson: Alright Nick, we're getting fixicated in here. Open that window.
Nick Kelson: Oh.
Jack Kelson: Here.
[Jack hands one of them a hot dog on a bun]
Nick Kelson: Is there any Ketchup?
Charlotte: Oh. Uh- ooh.
[Charlotte gets out of the car to get the Ketchup]
Jack Kelson: [to Nick] You were staring at her like a Goddamn yard bull. That's one fine lady, what do you got to say for yourself?
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Big City Dick: Richard Peterson's First Movie (2004)

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Soundtracks

I'm Crazy 'bout My Baby
Composed by Fats Waller (as Waller), W. Alexander Hill (as Hill)
Performed by Tom Waits
Tom Waits performs Courtesy of Island Records, Inc.

User Reviews

Underrated Bridges as usual; brilliant as usual

AMERICAN HEART (1993) **** Jeff Bridges, Edward Furlong, Don Harvey, Tracey Kapisky. Bleak yet truthful look at a father/son relationship in a world of despair. Bridges gives a modulatedly depicted performance as an ex-con fresh from jail and confronted with his teenage son, who is also on the path of hard knocks. Great rapport between Bridges and Furlong as well as a hopeless demise that maintains despite its moments of carefree aimlessness. Bridges co-produced as well.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 May 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

American Heart

Filming Locations:

Washington, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,549, 9 May 1993

Gross USA:

$384,048

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$384,048

Company Credits

Production Co:

Avenue Pictures, World Films, Asis Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Black and White (some footage) Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1